Adult Baptism, Confirmation, Communion

[RCIA_Elect]

Hi. I’m now an Elect in the RCIA process and I am preparing for my full initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Communion). This will take place this Easter Vigil at my church. Is it typical for an adult full initiation to send out invitations to have family join you at church just like you would if it was a child’s sacramental rite? We won’t be having a party before or after so it will just be the church service. Please provide feedback on what is most appropriate. If it is appropriate and you or someone you know sent out invitations, could you please share where they purchased them from.

I also have one more question. What do we wear under the sack cloth (not sure the official name) that is over your clothes for the baptism? I understand when mass starts you are in a colored Sunday Best outfit and then you change into this sack cloth and after you are done you change into something white/cream Sunday Best. At my church it is not a full immersion. We will have a “kiddy pool” that I would stand in and Father will then pour water over me. We haven’t covered this yet in class but I’m trying to get a head start by picking something out. Does the item under the cloth need to be neutral colored so it doesn’t show through, should it be shorts and tank top in any color, etc… Just looking for some feedback so I can plan accordingly.

Thanks for answering both of my questions in advance.

 

[Lisa1967]

Hi. I’m now an Elect in the RCIA process and I am preparing for my full initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Communion). This will take place this Easter Vigil at my church. Is it typical for an adult full initiation to send out invitations to have family join you at church just like you would if it was a child’s sacramental rite? We won’t be having a party before or after so it will just be the church service. Please provide feedback on what is most appropriate. If it is appropriate and you or someone you know sent out invitations, could you please share where they purchased them from.

I also have one more question. What do we wear under the sack cloth (not sure the official name) that is over your clothes for the baptism? I understand when mass starts you are in a colored Sunday Best outfit and then you change into this sack cloth and after you are done you change into something white/cream Sunday Best. At my church it is not a full immersion. We will have a “kiddy pool” that I would stand in and Father will then pour water over me. We haven’t covered this yet in class but I’m trying to get a head start by picking something out. Does the item under the cloth need to be neutral colored so it doesn’t show through, should it be shorts and tank top in any color, etc… Just looking for some feedback so I can plan accordingly.

Thanks for answering both of my questions in advance.

Congratulations to you! I joined the Church at Easter 1986 through RCIA. I had already been baptized so I can’t answer your question about that. As for inviting my family, I had told them I was becoming Catholic and they said they wanted to come. So my parents, sister, and grandmother, along with my boyfriend, all came, at 5:30 in the morning no less. They weren’t Catholic but came to support me. I didn’t issue formal invitations.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

You can invite your non-Catholic family and friends. Bear in mind that most churches are crowded for the Easter Vigil so I would limit the number. I would write personal invitations rather than using printed ones. Warn them that the Mass will be long. You might give them some educational material on the Mass so that they aren’t confused by it.

Our parishes always have a coffee and cookies/doughnuts type reception in the parish hall after the Easter Vigil Mass to welcome the new members. Perhaps you could ask/suggest this.

 

[Lisa1967]

You also might want to tip off any non-Catholics you invite that they cannot take Communion.

 

[aemcpa]

Hi. I’m now an Elect in the RCIA process and I am preparing for my full initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Communion). This will take place this Easter Vigil at my church. Is it typical for an adult full initiation to send out invitations to have family join you at church just like you would if it was a child’s sacramental rite? We won’t be having a party before or after so it will just be the church service. Please provide feedback on what is most appropriate. If it is appropriate and you or someone you know sent out invitations, could you please share where they purchased them from.

I also have one more question. What do we wear under the sack cloth (not sure the official name) that is over your clothes for the baptism? I understand when mass starts you are in a colored Sunday Best outfit and then you change into this sack cloth and after you are done you change into something white/cream Sunday Best. At my church it is not a full immersion. We will have a “kiddy pool” that I would stand in and Father will then pour water over me. We haven’t covered this yet in class but I’m trying to get a head start by picking something out. Does the item under the cloth need to be neutral colored so it doesn’t show through, should it be shorts and tank top in any color, etc… Just looking for some feedback so I can plan accordingly.

Thanks for answering both of my questions in advance.

Ask Father about the logistics of the wardrobe changes. In our parish, the Elect simply start Mass dressed in Sunday best, then don a white baptismal robe after their baptism and wear it for the remainder of the Mass, but if this is standard in your parish, he or the RCIA coordinator will definitely know what to tell you in that regard.

I think it is perfectly acceptable to invite your family members to your baptism as an adult. In our parish we set aside pews for the family and friends of each of the Elect and of the candidates for reception into the Church as well.

Congratulations on your upcoming initiation into the Church - may Jesus Christ be praised!

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

You might ask your RCIA team your questions since they’ll know the specifics of how your parish does things.

In my parish we set aside one pew for each of the elect for the elect, godparent, and guests. Additional guests can sit with the rest of the congregation. I’d suggest inviting people who will be happy both to see your baptism and to sit through a 3-hour Mass. We have a small reception after so that people can congratulate the neophytes.

Our folks wear their normal clothes for baptism, then put on an alb afterwards so I can’t make any suggestions there.